SPRING TRAINING COVERAGE 2025

THE LEAD

Although a further twenty days of minor league service time would give the Nats an extra year of control over his services, expect southpaw Mitchell Parker, the answer to the trivia question “Who was the first Nats pitcher to register a win in his debut start since Stephen Strasburg in 2010?”, to be in the Nats’ Opening Day rotation next week (unlike some teams, the Nats will need a fifth starter during their first turn through the rotation, on April Fools’ Day in Toronto - assuming that Parker indeed pitches fifth and not third or fourth so as not to pitch directly in front of MacKenzie Gore). Parker has been perfectly cromulent in his twelve and a-third spring innings, which is much more than DJ Herz or Shinnosuke Ogasawara can say.

The Nats have a veritable bushel of back-end rotation-type pitchers who could see time this year between those three (although I fully believe that Herz is capable of growing into more than that), Brad Lord, Tyler Stuart, and possibly Andry Lara or Andrew Alvarez. Parker will be tested early; he could go TOR-ARI-LAD in his first three starts, depending on how things shake out. Of course, that debut win was against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Jackie Robinson Day. Parker has proven that he can slow his heartbeat down before.

 SPRING TRAINING COVERAGE 2025

Game Recap

Shinnosuke Ogasawara, unfortunately, did not make a very strong case for the fifth starter role in his final spring opportunity, surrendering eight runs on ten hits while recording two outs in the fourth inning before giving way to Rochester NRI Carlos Romero, who added fuel to the fire in a 10-3 Mets win. Kyle Finnegan, Jose A. Ferrer, Orlando Ribalta, and Yeuris Jímenez (formerly of the Marlins’ system) combined for five shutout innings after the damage was done. In a classy move, the Nats brought Elian Soto up from minor league camp for the game so that he could share the field with his slightly wealthier and more famous big brother in the other dugout. The younger Soto struck out in his lone plate appearance, but that had to have been a cool moment for the two of them (alas, the game was not televised).

 WASHINGTON NATIONALS ANALYSIS

The Next Closer

Let’s talk about Jose A. Ferrer. After pitching two-thirds of an inning last night, Ferrer has struck out the last four batters he has faced and, in seven spring appearances, has recorded eight of his twenty outs via K while surrendering just four hits and two walks. Lefties who can pound 100 mph and have wicked ground ball-inducing changeups don’t exactly grow on trees. Watch how Davey Martinez handles Ferrer early this season. Watch as early as next weekend. Should the Nats be up one going into a ninth inning with Kyle Schwarber and/or Bryce Harper looming, does Davey call on Ferrer rather than Kyle Finnegan? Ferrer’s biggest problem to date has been spotty command, but he has thrown 81 of 120 pitches for strikes so far this spring. There’s a potentially dominant closer in there - let’s see how long it takes for Davey to take him out for a real test drive in that role.

AD

Wake up with Peet’s Coffee and the Morning Briefing

Peet’s Coffee is crafted for those who crave delicious coffee without the brewing; this versatile blend holds its own in any creation. Silky-smooth and delicious, hot or cold, it takes just one tablespoon and a couple of moments to whip up whatever cup you're craving. Order yours today to take advantage of their limited-time intro price.

 WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING

Speed Reads

📌 MLB Contender Tiers (MLB.com)

📌 Vlad Deal Still Possible with Toronto (ESPN)

📌 Position Player Tiers (The Athletic)